China Eastern Airlines (CEA) signed a cooperation agreement on April 18 with Shanghai Volunteer Physician League to establish a team of 120 medical experts, in a bid to cope with in-flight medical emergencies. It is the first domestic airline to offer this service.

As the overall number of air passengers grows, China has seen more and more in-flight medical emergencies. According to preliminary figures, a total of 179 cases occurred on CEA flights over the last year, averaging one every two days.

In the future, CEA crew members will be able to directly contact medical experts to obtain instructions on the treatment of in-crisis passengers. Most of the experts on the team are experienced senior doctors working in Shanghai hospitals. CEA said it will classify them in accordance with their areas of specialty, and establish an system for quick response.

Both parties also plan to expand the service from Shanghai to around the globe, building an international team of medical experts.